JAKARTA - The Mecca Route initiative makes some pilgrims no longer have to undergo a long process upon arrival in Saudi Arabia. Immigration, customs, health inspections, and baggage management are carried out from the country of origin. This service is especially helpful for elderly and disabled pilgrims.
According to a report by Arab News quoted on Monday, May 18, the program run by the Saudi Arabian government was used again ahead of this year's Hajj season which began on May 25.
One of the moments that caught attention came from Morocco. A 100-year-old prospective pilgrim was seen departing from the Rabat-Sale International Airport leaning on a cane while reading talbiyah before boarding the plane to Saudi Arabia.
With the help of officers, the elderly congregation was able to complete the passport inspection and departure process more easily.
Makkah Route was launched in 2017 as part of Saudi Vision 2030. Through this program, pilgrims complete various examinations from the departure airport. Upon arrival in Saudi Arabia, they can immediately continue their journey to hotels or inns.
This service also includes baggage tagging and delivery of suitcases directly to the pilgrims' place of stay.
In Senegal, the program began to be implemented this year through the Blaise Diagne International Airport in Dakar. Mahmoud Harun Sala, the grand imam of the mosque in Velingara, said the simpler process made the congregation calmer and could focus on worship.
"We are very happy," he said. "Just imagining being able to stand in front of the Ka'bah makes us happy."
According to him, easier access to pilgrimage sites such as Mina, Arafah, and Muzdalifah helps pilgrims to carry out their worship more comfortably.
At Gading Beach, a teacher named Khadija Traore also assessed that the service was very helpful, especially for elderly worshipers.
He said the special terminal for the Makkah Route at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny International Airport, Abidjan, accelerated the departure process and reduced the hassle for pilgrims.
The blind congregation from Morocco also expressed their appreciation for the assistance of officers who were considered more organized and made their journey easier.
This program is run by the Saudi Ministry of Interior together with a number of other institutions, including the ministries of health, Hajj and Umrah, foreign affairs, as well as aviation and digital services authorities.
According to the Saudi Press Agency, more than 1.25 million pilgrims have used the Makkah Route service since its launch eight years ago.
This year's Hajj season began after the early Zulhijah hilal was seen on Sunday evening. Arafah falls on May 26 and Eid al-Adha begins a day later.
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